Gilberto Gil (born 26 June, 1942) is a Brazilian singer, guitarist and song… Read Full Bio ↴Gilberto Gil (born 26 June, 1942) is a Brazilian singer, guitarist and songwriter, and Brazil's former minister of culture.

He began his career as a bossa nova musician, but soon began writing songs that reflected a new focus on political awareness and social activism, along with fellow singer Caetano Veloso. In the 1970s, Gil added new elements of African and North American music to his already broad palette, and continued to release a steady stream of albums, including Realce and Refazenda. João Gilberto recorded Gil's "Eu Vim da Bahia" ("I Came from Bahia") on his classic João Gilberto LP.

In 1969, Gil and Veloso, whose status in Brazil was, and is, equivalent to that of John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the English-speaking world, were arrested by the military government of Brazil for anti-government activities. Upon their release, the pair both moved to London. Gil began playing with groups like Yes, Pink Floyd and The Incredible String Band, while continuing his solo career. In the 1970s, he toured the US and recorded an English-language album. He worked with Jimmy Cliff and released in 1980 a cover of "No Woman, No Cry" (Bob Marley & the Wailers) that was a massive hit and introduced reggae to Brazil.

Gil continued recording, performing and involving himself in various social causes, and was eventually elected a city councillor in his home town Salvador in 1989. His 1993 album with Caetano Veloso, Tropicália 2, featured a cover of a Jimi Hendrix song, "Wait Until Tomorrow", and is regarded as one of his finest efforts since the late 1960s.

When President Lula da Silva took office in January 2003, he chose Gil to serve as Brazil's new Minister of Culture, a post he held until 2008. While minister, Gil released his songs "Refazenda", "Rebento" and "Refavela" under the Creative Commons Sampling License.

In May 2005 Gil was awarded the Polar Music Prize in Stockholm, Sweden. He was the first Latin American recipient of the annual award, which was given to him by the King of Sweden. Gil also performed four songs in an outdoors concert the day before the award show and again at the show with only two songs, accompanied by Jimmy Cliff.

In September 2005 he was awarded the Légion d'honneur from the French Government. This coincided with the Année du Brésil en France (Brazil's Year in France).

His daughter Preta Gil is also a musician.

As Pegadas Do Amor
Gilberto Gil Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Nem um bode pra sangrar
Nem um bé
Uma cabra a espernear
Um baé
Um porquinho, um bezerrinho
Uma pomba, uma preá
Animal de sangue quente
Atacado a sangue frio

Só ver sangue jorrar
Nem um pouco de pesar
De pavor
Nem um cabra a implorar
Por favor
Nem um corpo a estrebuchar
Ao tremor das minhas mãos

Nem uma marca de horror
No chão do meu coração

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Gilberto Gil's song "As Pegadas Do Amor" describe a violent scene of a person who takes pleasure in killing animals. The lyrics depict the absence of any remorse or empathy in the person's actions as they slaughter animals without any feelings of fear, horror, or regret. The verses describe a variety of animals, including goats, pigs, and cows, among others, being attacked without care or concern for their lives or well-being. The singer takes delight in seeing blood pour out of the animals, showing a complete lack of sensitivity towards their suffering.

The chorus of the song ("Nem uma marca de horror/ No chão do meu coração") implies that the person's heart is void of any emotion or compassion. Their actions do not leave any emotional scars or horror that normal people would feel after causing harm. The lyrics paint a picture of a brutal and emotionless human who takes pleasure in the destruction of innocent animals.

Overall, "As Pegadas Do Amor" is a poignant and powerful plea against animal violence and cruelty, shining a light on the need for empathy and compassion towards all living creatures.

Line by Line Meaning

Nem um bode pra sangrar
There's not a single goat to bleed

Nem um bé
Nor a lamb

Uma cabra a espernear
A goat kicking and screaming

Um baé
A baby lamb

Um porquinho, um bezerrinho
A little pig, a little calf

Uma pomba, uma preá
A dove, a guinea pig

Animal de sangue quente
Warm-blooded animals

Atacado a sangue frio
Attacked with cold-bloodedness

Só ver sangue jorrar
Just to see blood spilling

Nem um pouco de pesar
No regret whatsoever

De pavor
Nor fear